Bye Bye Dark Under-Eye Circles!

So you set aside your rock star ways and have been getting far more then your usual shut eye, yet raccoon eyes still follow you. That's because while fatigue and lifestyle can contribute to oxidizing hemoglobin {a.k.a dark under eyes} , it is not the main cause.


Some of the most common reasons are:

• Allergies and sinus problems which can dilate and darken the veins that drain from your eyes to your nose
• Sun exposure prompts the body to produce more melanin which is the pigment which gives skin its color
• As we age, the thinning of our skin and loss of collagen and fat makes the blood vessels under our eyes more obvious
• If traumatized, blood vessels can sometimes break
• Vitamin deficiency
• Heredity
• Lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol and caffeinated sodas contribute to the problem

Since most often these bad boys are not medical problems there are a few natural, inexpensive, self-care treatments which can help.

• Bathroom run! Green tea helps rid the body of excess liquids, which contribute to dark under-eye circles. Drink lots of water to flush the toxins out of your system.
• Consume lots of vitamin B and folic acid. Green leafy vegetables are especially helpful in ridding raccoon eyes naturally.
• Elevate your head with two or more pillows to prevent puffiness that develops when fluid pools in your lower eyelids.
• An over-the-counter saline spray can help relieve nasal congestion.
• Cold compresses can temporarily reduce dilated and discolored under-eye blood vessels. Try thin cucumber slices which have cooling and astringent properties.
• Wear dark sunglasses and use sunscreen.
  
• If buying an eye treatment look for vitamins C, E, K, chamomile and green tea extract in the ingredients. When applying eye cream, use your ring finger and work from the inner corner outwards in a circular motion.
  
• Avoid salicylic or glycolic acid around the eyes which can irritate delicate eye tissue, making redness and swelling worse.

Have a great day Friends!

{images via google image search} {facts and addition information research at Web MD}